Campus cements cuts

Weeks after Provost Robert Shelton proposed campuswide budget cuts, the University's deans have responded with plans to reduce spending.

Shelton called for a 1.75 percent cut in academic affairs, such as the College of Arts and Sciences, and a 2.5 percent cut in health affairs, such as the School of Pharmacy.

The cuts were necessitated by a $6.3 million reduction in state funds for the 2006-07 fiscal year.

Many of the University's deans replied to Shelton late last week and outlined where the cuts will be made.

Although the budget reductions are equal across the board, the schools will be affected in different ways.

Linda Cronenwett, dean of the Nursing School, said the cuts likely will result in faculty teaching larger classes.

The school has admitted more students, and she said earlier this month that the school will have increased tuition revenue next year.

But $163,000 worth of cuts from the budget means class sizes in the school will grow.

Barbara Rimer, dean of the School of Public Health, said in an e-mail that the reduction will yield a decrease in teaching assistant positions.

Many consider the presence of teaching assistants in the classroom as a crucial factor in recruiting and maintaining top faculty.

Some schools won't feel the brunt of the cuts as heavily as others.

Because of other revenue sources, UNC's School of Medicine will be able to weather its $1.5 million cuts, said Dean Bill Roper.

The budget of the medical school is augmented largely by funds from research grants and clinical profits.

"The key factor for us is the medical school's state-funded budget is 9 percent of our overall budget," he said.

After previous budget cuts, the medical school has looked to cut spending with minimal impact.

"What we have done in previous years - (is) find ways to economize - eliminate duplication and overlap," Roper said.

"I'm confident that we can. If everybody pulls together as they are, we can continue on the path that we are on."

But because the medical school is so large, Roper said, it still is unclear where exactly the ax will fall.

"We depend on the chairs of our departments and the directors of our centers to make a decision of what the cuts will be," he said.

Judith Wegner, chairwoman of the faculty, said she does not anticipate a negative outcry from the faculty in response to the cuts.

"I don't think there's panic afoot or anything," Wegner said.

Many have expected the cuts, she said, and both Shelton and the deans have done well to keep everyone informed during the process of assigning the cuts.

"I think the provost always tries to plan ahead and give them some kind of range about what may be forthcoming," she said.

Wegner said the topic of cuts likely will be discussed during today's Faculty Council meeting.

 

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.